Tuesday 30 October 2012

CRTC Directs Stricter Deferral Account Reporting

On 26 Oct 2012, the CRTC directed Bell Canada and Bell Aliant i.e. Bell to submit quarterly reports on the status of their Deferral Account project. They stated the reports must be filed within 15 days after the end of each quarter, beginning with the quarter ending December 2012.

The CRTC took this action in response to the amended report submitted by Bell on 31 Jul 2012 which in effect scrubbed the previous announced implementation schedules and combined the implementation period for about 100 localities to a single date of 31 Aug 2014. This report was also the incentive for my letter to the CRTC in August 2012.

The CRTC expressed concern that, based on the information available, there is a risk that the rollout will not be completed by the end of the rollout period in August 2014.

The letter identifies specific information that must be included in the quarterly reports:

a. A summary of the progress of the rollout;

b. The status of IS/IT system development to support the retail wireless broadband system, including the expected completion date;

c. The status of wireline transport backbone construction, including

i. communities completed with completion date,
ii. communities started with expected completion date, and
ii. communities not started with expected start and completion dates;

d. The status of wireless access construction by community, including the number of

i. towers required,
ii. towers existing or completed,
iii. additional towers with expected start and completion dates, and
iv. towers where electronic augmentation has been completed;

e. The service ready date, achieved or planned, by community.

The quarterly reports are also to include the following:

a. A description of any significant changes to the previous report and reasons for those changes;

b. Information about any delays in radio frequency testing and electronics implementation;

c. A list of communities where negotiations have begun for placement of cell towers for wireless broadband service and the status of such negotiations;

d. A summary of the results of any testing of customers’ wireless broadband service, including effects on the rollout schedule and lessons learned; and

e. The steps the Bell companies are taking to avoid excessive delays due to any of the above.

How much of this information will be made public or how much Bell will claim is competitive or proprietary information and therefore confidential, remains to be seen.

It is unfortunate that the CRTC choose not to issue a directive to Bell to accelerate the roll-out.

It could be a good test of the new CRTC regime’s stated aim to be friendlier to consumers.

Saturday 27 October 2012

New Bell Cell Site Coming to Echo Bay Area

On 26 Oct 2012 Bell announced public consults for a new cell site at Echo Bay in the area of 242 Maple Leaf Road. It will be a 70 metre lattice tri-pole similar to the one at Heyden and shown in the photo.

image
Like the previously announced new site in the North Sault area, there was no in-service date provided but it normally takes 6-9 months after the public consult for construction to start. Therefore I suspect we are looking at the 2013 work plan output.

Friday 26 October 2012

Bell HSPA+ Working in North Sault Area 25 Oct 12

Bell HSPA+ service in the North sault area appears to be working, at least in the Goulais area. I made a call on late Thursday, 25 Oct 2012 without any problems and again in the next morning. See this blog for additional details about the service and coverage.

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Status of Bell Cell Sites in North Sault 24 Oct 12

There are indications that the activation of the Bell HSPA+ cellular service in the North Sault area is getting closer. I understand the new sites and network access links are currently undergoing tests and if there are no problems, the sites may be commissioned as early as the 26 Oct 2012 weekend. Once I can confirm the sites are working, I will publish a blog entry.

A couple of reminders; the new Bell sites are HSPA+ only and will not work with CDMA technology but Bell CDMA phones will continue to work on the Tbaytel network as they have for the past few years. However, since Bell and Tbaytel are using and operating from their own towers in different locations, the coverage for HSPA+ and CDMA may be different. Although the Bell and Tbaytel towers are in close proximity, other technical features may result in different coverage.

Bell data hubs should work on the new Bell sites. Most external antennas and amplifiers can be used with any brand of data hub although it may be necessary to get a different connector or pigtail to connect the coaxial cable to the data unit.

In comments at this blog entry I speculated as follows about the Bell service in North Sault: - "Based on the map projection I am suspicious that they may be adding a cell configuration to one of their existing towers in the north Batchawana Bay area but this is just a guess." It has now been confirmed that Bell will activate a third site in the area of the Hwy 17/Hwy 563 intersection. Also, the site which I have referred to as Bell Goulais (Buttermilk) , Bell calls Haviland.

In summary, the three new Bell HSPA+ sites are Batchawana Bay, Haviland and Heyden.

  Bell North Sault Coverage and Towers Map Showing Coverage (Brownish) and Tower Locations (Red Stars)
Go to the Bell coverage site  to see a manipulable version of the Bell coverage map.

  Bell Tower Locations North SAult Clearer Picture of Tower Locations (Blue Teardrops)

Tuesday 16 October 2012

CRTC Asks for Public Input to a Wireless/Mobile/Cellular Consumer Code

On 11 Oct 2012, the CRTC issued an invitation to "Canadians to participate in the development of a consumer code for cell phones and other mobile devices." This launches a public consultation to obtain Canadians’ views on a new code for retail wireless services, such as cell phones and other personal mobile devices. The end of the open, public consultation process on 30 Nov 2012 will lead to public hearings to be held in Gatineau, PQ starting on 28 Jan 2013.

Background

This recent announcement is follow-on to the consultation conducted between 04 Apr 2012 and 03 May 2012 on whether or not there was a need for CRTC intervention to ensure competition in the wireless (mobile or cellular sector). As indicated in this blog, the overwhelming public and corporate response indicated some form of federal level control was required but for very different reasons. The general public expressed concern about the one –sided nature of the existing contractual practices which they viewed as favouring the corporations while the corporations expressed concern about the Balkanization of the regulations caused by the provinces adopting their own individual set of regulations which were not always in agreement.

Elaboration of Latest Call for Consultation

The CRTC is seeking input from the public on areas that should be covered by any proposed code for retail wireless service. The CRTC specifically mentioned the following high level areas in their announcement:
a. The terms and conditions that should be addressed by a code for cell phones and mobile devices;
b. to whom the code should apply;
c. how the code should be enforced; and
d. how the code’s effectiveness should be assessed.
The Commission also identified other areas that should be included in the code. This summary list shows some of these areas:
a. Clarity of contract terms and conditions
b. Changes to contract terms and conditions
c. Contract cancellation, expiration and renewal
d. Clarity of advertised prices
e. Application of the Code to bundles of telecommunications services
f. Notification of additional fees
g. Privacy policies
h. Hardware warranties and related issues
i. Loss or theft of hardware
j. Security deposits
k. Disconnection

Additional details about the content of the above list can be found at the CRTC webpage.

Public Participation

The general public may participate in the proceedings by:
b. writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N2; or
c. sending a fax to the CRTC at 819-994-0218.

The public inputs are published  at this CRTC website.








Friday 5 October 2012

Deferral Account: Bell Response to CRTC Letter


I received a reply dated 28 Sep 12 from Bell Canada, Regulatory Affairs concerning my letter to the CRTC about further delay in the Deferral Account roll-out  Background information about the letter is at this blog entry as well as the comments section.  The CRTC had directed Bell to respond to me not later than 08 Oct 12.

I have posted a copy of the most recent Bell Canada letter at this location.

The letter rehashes the submission Bell made to the CRTC in July of this year and indicates we can expect nothing in the way of Deferral Account implementation in the Algoma District until end August 2014.

A number of items in the letter caught my attention.

First, by admitting that the standard-speed wireless deployment products, which are  normally referred to as data hubs or HSPA+ broadband technology throughout this blog,  are fundamentally different than the Deferral Account product, it could be interpreted as an admission by Bell Canada  that the former do not meet the benchmark as a viable alternative to the traditional DSL or fibre based service.  Yet Bell is advertising and selling the product as a replacement or alternative service offering, especially in rural areas.  In other words, if one does not live in a Deferral Account area it will not get any better.

Second, I find it ironic that while Bell’s goal as stated in the letter “…is to offer the best possible Internet experience to all customers …” yet they not willing to adjust the rate on what they admit is an inferior product that “…is not technically designed to serve as a direct substitute…”.   In a logic that turns conventional thinking on its head, Bell implies that it cannot offer reduced rates because it is providing a poorer quality service.

I will continue to monitor the Deferral Account program to see where it goes from here.











Friday 21 September 2012

Bell Cell Sites in North Sault Status as of 21 Sep 12


Indications are the construction of the actual towers and cell hardware for the Bell sites in North Sault at Heyden (Beaumont) and Goulais (Buttermilk) is now complete. The sites now need to be integrated into the network. 

One source indicated that Bell is in the process of finalizing the backhaul and network requirements and should have the sites operational within a week or two.

Another source indicated that Bell will be activating new sites in Thunder Bay in addition to the North Sault sites during the first week of Oct 2012. 

Monday 17 September 2012

A New Approach to Data Hub Design


Australia and Canada are often compared when it comes to the roll-out of broadband (high speed) Internet connectivity. Both countries have a relatively small population spread out over a large geographical area. Both countries have a number of urban areas with high population densities as well large swathes of rural areas where population density is measured in single digits per hectare.

The challenge both countries face is how to deploy broadband (high speed) Internet to the rural areas. While both countries have adopted similar technological approaches using a combination of terrestrial fibre and copper cables systems delaying DSL and cable connectivity, mobile (cellular) broadband, traditional fixed wireless and satellite, the management of the challenge couldn't be more different.

Canada opted for private sector leadership and implementation with limited public sector involvement through capital cost public subsidies approximated at between $500 million to $800 million over an estimated 10 years. Government oversight was limited and shared between existing federal ministries and agencies and provincial organizations.  One of the agencies wants every Canadian to have 5 Mbps access by 2015.

Australia opted for a federal government leadership. They created a cabinet level office - Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy - and allotted a $34billion budget. The network being implemented for the government by private industry, including some Canadian companies, is called the National Broadband Network or NBN. The NBN is a wholesale-only, open access, high-speed broadband network.  This means NBN Co Limited – the company established by the government to design, build and operate the NBN – will roll out the network and sell wholesale services at a uniform price to service providers, such as your internet or phone provider. In turn, service providers will offer retail services to the consumers. The target end user speed for the network is 1 Gbps for the terrestrial based portion and 12 Mbps for the wireless and satellite based portions.

Both Australia and Canada are using data hub based technology for covering parts of rural areas.

One of the NBN subcontractors is NetComm, the same company that provides data hubs to Rogers and Tbaytel for their 3G/4G broadband networks.  I received a pointer from Northland Consultants on a new NetComm design concept being offered in support of the NBN.

The NetComm design combines the 3G/4G modem, router, Wi-Fi, high gain antenna and an optional telephone voice jack in a hardened box for mounting in an external location outside the customer's premise. The external electronics are power by a Power over Ethernet (PoE) injector. This means the whole unit is delivered as a single package without the need to purchase an additional antenna  and cables. 

More details are available on the NetComm website. Another approach along similar lines can be seen at another NetComm page.


I am not aware of any vendor offering this hardware configuration in Canada yet but I can see it as a potential solution to the Bell Deferral Account hardware concerns although I am not aware of a similar design by the Bell data hub supplier Netgear. 

Tuesday 4 September 2012

CRTC Communications Monitoring Report for 2012


The annual CRTC Communications Monitoring Report for 2012 issued on 04 Sep 2012 is now available for reading and download on the CRTC website.  

This is copy of the Table of Contents from the Report. The Report also contains a large number of charts and maps addressing some of the areas identified in the Table of Contents.


Thursday 30 August 2012

Progress Report on Bell Cell in North Sault 30 Aug 12

Work on the new Bell cell site located near the Beaumont Trailer Park  near Heyden in the North Sault area is progressing well. As can be seen in the accompanying pictures, the tower is topped off and the antennas mounted. It looks like the power and fibre optic backhaul cables are in place.  One picture  shows its relative relationship to the existing Tbaytel tower as viewed from the MTO weigh scale area at Heyden.

The tower can be seen from the intersection of Hwy 17 and Pine Shores Rd. so I am expecting good coverage. 

I have no confirmed in-service date as yet.

Bell Tower at Heyden (Beaumont)


Bell Beaumont Showing Power and Fibre Optic Cable



Bell Beaumont Pinwheel Antennas Mounted


Relationship of the Bell Tower to the Tbaytel Tower


Tuesday 21 August 2012

Data Hub Flex Rate Summary 21 Aug 2012

A reader noted that there have been changes to prices in some flex rate data hub plans. He recommended that I publish a summary of current rates to replace the summary updated on 26 Oct 2011. This is the summary from 2011 . Taxes need to be added.

2011
Data Cap
Bell 
Rogers
Tbaytel
Flex Rate
Cost Per GB
Flex Rate
Cost Per GB
Flex Rate
Cost  Per GB 
3 GB
$45.00
$15.00
$45.00
$15.00
$35.00
 $11.68
5 GB
$55.00
$11.00
$ 55.00
$11.00
$45.00
 $9.00 
10 GB 
$70.00
$7.00
$70.00
$7.00
$60.00
 $6.00 
15 GB
$90.00
$4.50
20 GB 
$75.00
 $3.75 

These are the current rates based on information posted on the respective websites as of 21 Aug 2012.  

It appears both Bell and Rogers have made minor changes at the 15 GB and 20 GB range while Tbaytel has remained the same.

2012
Data Cap
Bell 
Rogers
Tbaytel
Flex Rate
Cost Per GB
Flex Rate
Cost Per GB
Flex Rate
Cost  Per GB 
3 GB
$45.00
$15.00
x
x
$35.00
 $11.68
5 GB
$55.00
$11.00
$60.00
$12.00
$45.00
 $9.00 
10 GB 
$70.00
$7.00
$75.00
$7.50
$60.00
 $6.00 
15 GB
$90.00
$6.00
20 GB 
$90.00
$4.50
$75.00
$3.75 
Cost Per Extra GB
$15.00
$10.001
$50.00 

1.     1. As far as I can determine, Rogers still has the $50.00 maximum for overages charges, They will warn the user about excess usage but only charge the $50.00 limit or $140.00. 

      Telus also has a data hub plan that is very similar to Bell's. I have been unable to find anyone in the Algoma District using a Telus data hub.


Saturday 18 August 2012

Another Bell North Sault Site 18 Aug 12


Bell continues it build out in the North Sault area.  They recently announced public consults for two sites in the SSM area.  One they referenced as Pine St - Northern Avenue area near Sault College in the city; it will be a 34 metre monopole. The other they referenced as GNR - 6th  Line. It will be located to the west of the former Greenbelt Bingo Hall site on Hwy 17 and will be a 70 metre lattice tri-pole similar to those under construction at Heyden (Beaumont) and Goulais (Buttermilk).

There was no in-service date provided but it normally takes 6-9 months after the public consult for construction to start. Therefore I suspect we are looking at the 2013 work plan output.

Like other new Bell sites they will be HSPA+ only (no CDMA). The  new GNR - 6th Line site will also help fill some of the broadband service gaps in the area by making data hub technology available.



Thursday 16 August 2012

Letter to CRTC Reference the Deferral Account Program

I recently submitted a personal  letter to the CRTC expressing my displeasure at the 31 Jul 2012 proposal by Bell to delay implementation of the Deferral Account program in some areas of the Algoma District until August 2012.

I also included a copy of a paper I prepared last year questioning how the HSPA+ data hub service is covering Deferral Account areas and asked for action by the CRTC in light of this coverage. Additional sites that spill over into Deferral Account areas have since been added.

One of the problems in dealing with the CRTC is that unless one is responding to a call for public proceedings that is open, it is not easy to get a complaint or comment into the hands of the CRTC. In the end, I wrote using the same address as Bell used so I shall see what happens.  I am hoping the CRTC is willing to back-up the comments made by CRTC Commissioner  Katz at the Telecom Summit held in Toronto in June this year when he said:

Broadband service is more and more of a necessity for full participation in the digital economy and in our life as Canadians. The funds were collected over a number of years from Bell subscribers. I urge our friends at Bell to give a higher priority to the needs of the people in these rural and remote communities by accelerating their rollout plans.”

Sunday 12 August 2012

Review of Tim Hortons Wi-Fi Hotspot in Sault Ste. Marie

I tried the new “free” Tim Hortons Wi-Fi hotspot offering  at the Trunk Road location in Sault Ste Marie on Saturday,  11 Aug 12 around 4:30 pm.  I used a Bell Samsung Galaxy S II.

The handset detected the availability of the hotspot immediately and connected. When I opened the browser application, I was offered two choices: - Tim Hortons Wi-Fi Plus and Free Wi-Fi. The former required a registration process involving a name and email address. There is no additional information on the Tim Hortons’ website but other sources state the registration for each device is a one-time requirement and my handset will be recognized when I try to connect in the future.

I was able to access the Internet immediately by selecting the free option but I am not sure if this is available to all users. The hotspot is supplied by Bell and Bell customers get “free” access to a number of “free” networks. Since the “free” networks are available to all users regardless of their home network, I am not sure what Bell is offering their customers except they claim Bell devices are recognized and no password sign-in is required.

I followed the registration for the Wi-Fi Plus option. This required I get access to my e-mail account to acknowledge receipt of the verification message sent by timhortonsverification@datavalet.com . Once I verified the registration, the connection performed well.

I conducted a number of speed tests using Speedtest.net Mobile on both the Wi-Fi connection and a Bell HSPA+ 3G/4G connection with the following average of five results.

Direction
Wi-Fi
HSPA+ 3G/4G
Download
0.60 Mbps
4.62 Mbps
Upload
0.21 Mbps
3.28 Mbps

I am not sure why the Wi-Fi readings were so slow. It may be the system is still being fine-tuned as the publically announced in-service date is Sep 2012. Also, none of the Sault Ste. Marie outlets are listed as Wi-Fi enabled on the main Tim Hortons’ website.

Noted added 01 Sep 12:  I retested the Wi-Fi speeds today and consistently received around 2 Mbps download and about .60 Mbps upload. 

Nevertheless, the access was sufficient to check e-mail and surf a few websites. I had no problem accessing the International bridge camera to check on traffic tailbacks.  I did not try a VoIP call, but the speeds are very close to the limits for acceptable voice quality although the ping times were low in the 50 ms range.

While the service may not be acceptable to the power user, I feel the service will satisfy the basic needs of most users and save valuable bytes from their data plan cap.